Children's Care

José having fun with two young patients

At the dental office of Dr. Caroline Krivuzoff-Sanderson, we are able to provide a wide range of dental services for children. Dr. Caroline's first "little patients" are now having children of their own, and she is proud to see another generation of children grow.

José having fun with two young patients 

Believe it or not, there’s not actually a certifying program to become a “pediatric dentist.” Red Deer parents and caregivers can enlist the help of Dr. Caroline Krivuzoff-Sanderson to begin their child’s dental care. Regular visits help kids develop positive brushing and flossing habits, as well as ensure proper tooth development in those crucial early years.

At our dental office we provide a wide range of dental services for children. Amazingly, Dr. Caroline’s first set of “little patients” are now having kids of their own! It’s an exciting opportunity to instill the same positive attitude toward dental care in the next generation of patients.

Should your child's first visit occur when they are older, somewhere in the three- to-five-year-old range, we will perform a no-charge "happy visit" to acquaint your child with our office. One of the kids’ favourite parts of this visit is the chance to learn about the equipment we use in our dental office. Your child will be able to ride in the dental chair and to see and feel the electric toothbrush "Mr. Tickler", the air/water syringe "Mrs. Spits", the vacuum "Mr. Thirsty", and the light "Mr. Sunshine". We will talk about "sugar bugs," where they hide, the damage they do, and how to brush and floss them off our teeth. With an early, positive experience and your support, your child will develop positive habits and see the dentist as more like a friend who is genuinely concerned about their health. Familiarizing your child with the process and making regular visits to the dentist can also help alleviate dental anxieties and ensure a lifetime of beautiful smiles.

When your child is comfortable enough to sit back in the chair, Dr. Caroline will perform a thorough examination which may include x-rays to look for decay between the teeth, as well as eruption patterns. We recommend that your child have an examination and cleaning every 6 months. Early detection of disease allows us to perform minimally-invasive dental procedures, and regular visits allow us to observe growth and detect any abnormalities. During dental procedures Dr. Caroline and her team take care to create a climate of trust with your child. We explain things as we work, so your child is well informed.

Have Your Child Visit a Dentist by Age One

As recommended by the Alberta Dental Association and College, as well as the Canadian Dental Association, children should visit a dentist as soon as the first tooth appears (erupts), or by the age of one. During your child’s first visit, Dr. Caroline and her staff will introduce your child to all the “cool” tools they get to use, as well as familiarize them with the process. Our team will examine your child’s tooth (or teeth), gums, and other tissues/structures of the mouth. Dr. Caroline will also discuss the importance of proper dental hygiene at home and how to break thumb-sucking, and/or other habits that can negatively affect your child’s health.

To help you establish a proper dental care routine at home, Dr. Caroline will provide you with a folder containing all the necessary information and care tips.

Parent Support and Involvement

With the goal of preventing dental disease, we work with parents to provide them with the knowledge and tools to help them see their children grow up cavity free. Setting a good example is one of the greatest gifts that parents can give their children, and with their persistence and encouragement, we hope to decrease the need for extensive dental intervention and unnecessary suffering.

With her years of experience, gentle touch, and calm demeanor, Dr. Caroline has developed her own approach and stories to relate to her young patients. We would like our patients to come away from their experience with a smile or a "high-five", developing their own opinions as to what dentistry is all about. Parents can help us in this regard by not relating their own dental experiences or explaining the details of procedures, including dental freezing to their child. Using these approaches, positive and happy experiences for children are a normal occurrence.

If you do not already have a regular dental care provider, we would be more than happy to be your dental home and to see your children. We take pride in offering a relaxed, fun, and educational atmosphere in our family practice. If you have any questions, or wish to have more information, please feel free to call us at your convenience at 403-346-0077, and one of our administration staff would be glad to assist you.

Disclaimer: This website is provided for information and education purposes only. No doctor/patient relationship is established by your use of this site. No diagnosis or treatment is being provided. No guarantees or warranties are made regarding any of the information contained within this website. This website is not intended to offer specific medical, dental or surgical advice to anyone. Further, this website and Dr. Caroline Krivuzoff-Sanderson or her associates take no responsibility for websites hyper-linked to this site and such hyper-linking does not imply any relationships or endorsements of the linked sites.